SSAFA London SW

05/04/2026

Team SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity at the London Marathon - Sun 26th Apr 2026 - 09:30 from Greenwich Park and Blackheath Park. -- Finishing at The Mall, near St James's Park.

This year, a group of incredible runners are taking on the challenge of the Armed Forces
London Marathon to raise vital funds for those who’ve served. Each step they take is more
than just a race—it’s a commitment to supporting our brave men and women in uniform,
veterans, and their families.

Every mile brings us closer to ensuring that no one who has served our country faces
hardship alone.

Join us in cheering on our runners and supporting SSAFA’s life-changing
work for the Armed Forces community. Together, we make sure no one has to battle alone.

01/04/2026

What better way to mark National Tea Day than by sharing a cup with those you love?
Whether it’s builders’ tea, Earl Grey, or a calming Green tea, take a moment to press pause,
sip, and connect.
Join us in SSAFA’s Big Brew Up and help raise vital funds for the Armed Forces community.
Your brew can make a real difference for those facing life’s toughest battles—ensuring they
never battle alone.
Invite friends, family, or colleagues to join in, share a tea, and create a little calm and
connection, all while supporting a cause that matters.
A cup of tea + a chat = a powerful way to give back.

20/03/2026

Are you ready to put your pedal to the metal and take on a brand new challenge whilst also raising money for veterans, serving personnel and their families?!

Join team SSAFA for the Ride to Monte Cassino! A fully supported three day cycling challenge that blends powerful military history with spectacular scenery. This is not "just" a fundraising cycle through the Italian countryside, but an opportunity to honour the bravery and sacrifice of those who served, with military historians to guide us on our journey.

To find out the full details and sign-up, visit. To find out the full details and sign-up, visit https://www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us/events/cycle/ride-to-monte-cassino/

09/03/2026

In the military, Tracy had known who she was: proud, strong, capable. She’d joined up to
defend her country, but on civvy street she couldn’t protect herself from the flashbacks of
wars fought long ago.
When diagnosed with a life-limiting illness compounded by the loss of her husband, Tracy
was engulfed by grief for the life she thought she'd have. After all this it was finding an
unpaid bill, leaving her with debts she couldn't pay, that drove her to make the life-changing
call to SSAFA.
SSAFA secured funds to help Tracy pay her debts, replace her broken bed with a new one,
and buy new clothing after illness led to weight loss.
Tracy gave herself the grace and inner strength to ask for help, and SSAFA was there.
Learn more about Tracy's story here>> www.ssafa.org.uk/newbeginnings

08/03/2026

In 2025, the Porchway Masonic Lodge, Croydon, selected SSAFA London SW Branch as one of its charities to be supported. In late February, four members of the Branch were invited to the Lodge to receive a presentation cheque for £4,750 as the donations to the Branch collected by the Lodge last year. We were warmly welcomed and it was a great pleasure to have the opportunity to talk about our work and to give a few examples of how the Lodge’s donation will be spent. The Lodge members were particularly interested in the Branch’s important emergency payments to beneficiaries and our project to connect with SSAFA members of the Armed Forces community in need from three local hospitals. At the end of our visit, the Branch Chair presented the Lodge Worshipful Master with a SSAFA ‘thank you’ certificate in recognition of the commitment and hard work of its members to organise and deliver successful fundraising events in 2025 to support SSAFA activities in South West London. These generous donations will greatly impact the lives of our SSAFA beneficiaries, and we extend our heartfelt thanks on their behalf.

06/03/2026

On Tuesday 3 March, three members of the Branch, Ian, Jayne, and Rod, visited the Chatfield Medical Centre in Wandsworth as part of our Community Engagement Plan 2026. The aim of our trip to this very veteran-aware medical practice, visited by The King last December, was to explain to the Centre’s administrative and reception staff how they can direct members of the Armed Forces community with social needs to the support provided by SSAFA. Jim Maskell of the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance joined us and opened the presentation by giving a useful overview of the Armed Forces community in London and the numbers. The Branch team then talked about SSAFA’s work and explained the characteristics of the beneficiaries we support. We intend to maintain contact with Chatfield by providing information leaflets and a video for the waiting room TV. SSAFA would like to thank the Chatfield staff for listening so attentively, for being interested in our work, and for making us feel very welcome.

05/03/2026

Throughout history there has been countless books that capture and honour Armed Forces personnel and the sacrifices they made for us. Both fiction and non-fiction can bring to life the realities of what our Armed Forces go through both whilst serving and family life - celebrating the lives, and honouring the sacrifices.

What have been some of your favourite books based around the Armed Forces? Share your top reads in the captions.

For those looking for a more than just a book but a purchase that makes a difference, Wilderness Mum by Kate Barron is donating funds from her book sales to SSAFA! You can buy the book here: www.ssafastore.org.uk/products/wilderness-mum-how-i-left-city-life-behind-to-raise-a-family-in-nature

03/03/2026

SSAFA London South West Branch brought a ray of sunshine to Caterham on Saturday 28 February 2026, as volunteers and supporters gathered for a successful day of community engagement outside the Waitrose & Partners Caterham store.

Store Manager Steve Tuddenham, alongside Branch Chair Rod Croucher CBE, kindly allowed the team to set up their pitch outside the store for the second year running. Thanks to their continued support and the generosity of local shoppers, approximately £470.00 was raised on the day. Many leaflets were distributed, generous donations were collected, and valuable connections were made throughout the event.

Representing the branch were Community Engagement Volunteers Sue Foster, Ian Thomas, Jayne Mountain, and Ian Hicks, who worked tirelessly to raise awareness of SSAFA’s vital work supporting the Armed Forces community. The team was also pleased to be joined by Julie Pescod from SSAFA’s Surrey Branch, further strengthening regional collaboration.

Adding to the occasion were Sgt Major Joe Cox and Major Kaz Lorimer of the Greater London South West Sector Army Cadets, whose presence highlighted the strong links between SSAFA and the wider military family.

Caterham itself has deep-rooted military connections. RAF Kenley, now known as Kenley Airfield, is based nearby and played a critical role during the Battle of Britain. Meanwhile, Caterham Barracks served as the central depot for the Foot Guards regiments—Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish, and Welsh—from 1877 until 1960, before eventually closing in 1995.

With strong community spirit, generous public support, and the dedication of its volunteers and partners, SSAFA London South West Branch once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to serving those who serve, and have served, our nation.

02/03/2026

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity's statement on the attack on RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus.

23/02/2026

On Saturday 28 February 2026, SSAFA London South West Branch will host a community awareness and fundraising day in Caterham, positioning volunteers outside Waitrose to engage shoppers, provide guidance on the charity’s support for the Armed Forces community and invite donations. The event will also recognise the historic significance of Caterham Barracks, which operates as the Foot Guards’ depot from 1877 until 1960 before its closure in 1995, reflecting the town’s long-standing connection to military service.

10/02/2026

Growing up in a military family can bring unique challenges, from parental deployment to
frequent moves and time apart. This week we are shining a light on the importance of
supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children in our Armed Forces
community.
SSAFA's FANDAF, Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum, and Short Breaks do an
incredible job of making sure the military children, with a specific focus on those with a
disability, are cared for and advocated for.
To learn more about these incredible services, visit >>
www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help/disability-support/additional-needs-and-disability-support/

02/02/2026

Feeling inspired after watching Channel 4's Arctic Adventure?!
We've got just the thing: the SSAFA Warrior Challenge – Lapland. A once-in-a-lifetime
experience through one of the world’s last untouched wildernesses – and every step you
take helps support serving personnel, veterans, and military families in need. With two
different distance options this event has something for everyone!
If you missed the epic documentary following UK Special Forces soldier and star of 'SAS:
Who Dares Wins' Jason Fox, former Royal Marines Commando Sniper Aldo Kane, Military
Cross recipient Brian Wood, and Iraq veteran and burns survivor Karl Hinett, as they race
to traverse 500km of Swedish Lapland in just 10 days, you can watch it on catch-up
today! Grab a cuppa, sit back and be inspired >

An elite team of military veterans tackle one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons